Alnus incana 'Angustissima'
A medium-growing deciduous tree to 20m. The green leaves are reduced almost to a skeleton around the veins, making a delicate feather and casting much less shade. There is a brief period of light yellow leaves before they fall in autumn. In late winter the purple-brown male catkins open cream to 8cm long and female woody cones are held in clusters right through the winter.
Size
Ultimate height
Higher than 12 metresTime to ultimate height
20–50 yearsUltimate spread
Wider than 8 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Poorly–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Cream | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | |||
| Autumn | Green Yellow | Brown | ||
| Winter | Brown Purple | Brown |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Betulaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Spreading branched, Columnar upright
- Genus
Alnus are vigorous deciduous trees and large shrubs with rounded leaves and often conspicuous catkins in winter
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
It is a nitrogen-fixer so can grow on poor soil. Suited to river banks on permanently damp soil in good light. For more information see tree cultivation.
Propagation
Propagate from hardwood cuttings in autumn
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Architectural
- Banks and slopes
Pruning
Pests
May be susceptible to alder leaf beetle, alder sucker and leaf-mining sawflies
Diseases
May be susceptible to phytophthora root rot and honey fungus
Get involved
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